PipsDishAfter serving food in a disused north London Citroën Garage for two years, Philip Dundas – ex-BBC producer turned food writer and pop-up cook – now has a new restaurant in the West End. This “home from home” restaurant (pictured above) combines the magical atmosphere of the Garage pop-up with Philip’s no-bookings, no-menu, eat-what-you’re-given approach and a wine selection chosen by a Master of Wine.

Upstairs at Nancy’sLocated atop Shoreditch’s most recently revived public house, this new bar peddles the products of London’s best brewers, distillers, vintners and cocktail barrellers. Expect Borough Wines, Kamm & Sons, Butler’s, Boodles, Sipsmith, The Botanist, Five Points, Partizan and The Kernal.

ShimmyWest London now has a new, much needed, late night dance floor. Shimmy (hidden behind the door pictured above) encourages playfulness and eccentricity, with an enchanted wardrobe staircase, Scrabble tiled bar and “Magic Far Away Tree” theme. Optical illusions and quirky Victorian trinkets are complemented by stylish exposed brickwork and staff dressed in Gatsby-eque, flapper or bow-tie attire. And we won’t even dare to mention what happens in the toilets!

The White HartThis Victorian Goliath at the river’s edge in Barnes has been through a huge transformation of late. The new Head Chef is BBC MasterChef finalist Tom Whitaker, the new restaurant boasts its own smokery and there are balconies on each of its three floors. Look out for future master classes, wine tastings and supplier evenings.

Purl at The Bedford is the first long-term pop-up (pictured right) from Marylebone-based cocktail specialists Purl, who are setting up in Balham’s Bedford pub from 5 November until the end of April. Expect aroma, fogs, airs, foams, food, bespoke serviceware and liquid nitrogen.

Rumble at the Deli is a new London event, held at Tom Conran’s Notting Hill hangout, Tom’s Deli. Two chefs go head to head each night to see who can create the best three course meal from ingredients selected fresh from the local market each morning. Launching on 7 November, big name chefs taking part include Pratap Chahal (Le Manoir, Chez Bruce, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s), and Tom Starker (Heston’s Dinner).

The House of Peroni will celebrate the New Wave of Italian Style and Creativity. Opening on 6 November, punters can expect a luxurious cinema space, two bars with cocktails created by Gerry Calabrese, a video installation by critically acclaimed video artist Quayola and a new House menu created by the Michelin-starred Costardi brothers.

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/10/london-bar-and-restaurant-news-pipsdish-shimmy-upstairs-at-nancys-and-purl-pop-up/feed/0Where To Party Like It’s The End Of The Worldhttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/12/where-to-party-like-its-the-end-of-the-world/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/12/where-to-party-like-its-the-end-of-the-world/#commentsThu, 13 Dec 2012 14:01:57 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=30729If you’re a fan of disaster films, you’ve probably seen London destroyed on the big screen a fair few times. If the Mayans were right, however, you might soon see it for real, as the ancient civilisation predicted that 21 December 2012 would be the end of the world. Although this might seem like a good excuse to hide under the duvet, London’s finest party organisers are giving you plenty of opportunity to go out in style. We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to spend your last hours in London – nice knowing you!

The End of the World Party, Village Underground

Hosted by the team that has put on more than 50 “end of the world” parties in the last four years (they must be a fairly pessimistic bunch…), this Shoreditch party is guaranteed to be one of the most detailed and debauched in town. Starting at 10pm, the night allows you to choose the songs you dance to, live out your final fantasies in the Last Wish room and generally behave as if you won’t have to worry about a hangover in the morning. Tickets are £8, get yours quick before they sell out. 21 Dec

The End of the World Party, Proud Camden

Head to this popular venue’s Stables Bar for a night of half-price drinks, doomsday shenanigans and music from top DJs – including a special guest at midnight. Highlights include confetti cannon, the chance to confess your sins and an air raid siren that heralds the advent of half price shots. Entry is free if you’re on the guestlist, see the website for full details. 20 Dec

Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s End of the World Show, Hammersmith Apollo.

Go out laughing at this logical comedy show from the hosts of BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage. Brian Cox and Robin Ince bring some of the finest minds in comedy, science and music together to celebrate human achievement in earth’s final hours. Tickets start from £25. 21 Dec

The Last Supper Club, Shoreditch

Make your last meal a memorable one at this exclusive dining experience in Shoreditch. You can choose between dining in the Ark, which has an eclectic and regularly changing selection of three-course menus, or make your apocalypse a bit more casual in the street food area. A doom-fuelled selection of drinks is also available and booking in advance is highly recommended – see their website for full details. 6-22 Dec

Popstarz at Hidden, Vauxhall

The world’s first alternative gay night is hosting a special End of the World Party in Vauxhall, featuring giveaways, apocalyptic makeovers and a special stage show at midnight. Entry is free before 11pm, see the flyer for full details. 21 Dec

Real Nice and Eta Present the End of the World, West London

Spending your final hours in a West London warehouse might not sound too appealing, but when you factor in world-class DJs, a killer light and sound system and a fair few apocalyptic surprises it suddenly sounds like a plan. Tickets are £20. 21 Dec

Pirate Radio Party Presents Aztec Mixdeck: A World’s End Boat Party

Cruise down the Thames with the Pirate Radio Party, who promise music, theatrics and “the best atmosphere this side of the apocalypse”. Seen from the river, London at night is certainly one of the prettiest last views you can get. Tickets are £20 if you’re quick. 21 Dec

Loud Noise End of the World Party at Cable

Head to South London for an apocalyptic party featuring a huge line-up of top DJs. Tickets start from £8. 21 Dec

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/12/where-to-party-like-its-the-end-of-the-world/feed/0Halloween Club Nights 2012http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/10/halloween-club-nights-2012/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/10/halloween-club-nights-2012/#commentsFri, 05 Oct 2012 09:30:14 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=29392Who’s going out this Halloween? There are plenty of spine-tingling parties happening in the capital, so get your costume ready and practise your best Thriller dance. Here’s our pick of Halloween club nights in London:

Winterwell Presents A Journey to Hell
Boutique festival Winterwell’s popular Halloween party returns to London for another year of “pervasive adventures”. It all takes place at a brick warehouse in West London, with live music, installations and plenty more entertainment. The fancy dress theme is “what you might find in hell,” so start planning your costume now! The Loft Studios, 27 Oct, tickets £25 (early bird tickets £20)

Club de Fromage and Old School Indie Halloween Party
Club de Fromage and Old School Indie have joined forces for an evening of chilling indie and spooky pop in a venue decked out with gravestones, coffins and cobwebs. There’s a prize for best fancy dress, and the chance to get into the Halloween spirit with a screening of Ghostbusters before the club. O2 Academy Islington, 27 Oct, entry £10 in advance, £15 including film

Secretsundaze Halloween Asylum Party
Mix the old and new as secretsundaze makes its debut at Shoreditch venue Factory 7, while continuing last year’s asylum theme. Some of the biggest names in techno will keep inmates partying until the early hours, including Shed, San Proper and BLM plus residents Giles Smith and James Priestly. Factory 7, 27 Oct, tickets £14.50-£17

Midnight A Go-Go’s Halloween Party Return to a simpler time of MTV, Thriller and Kate Bush at Midnight A Go-Go’s 80s-themed Halloween party. Enjoy 80s new wave, synth pop, classic hip hop and new tracks inspired by the decade, while cult 80s horror films play in the background. The Waiting Room, 26 Oct, entry £5

Big Chill Presents Bruk Out Halloween Party
A Halloween party with music that bumps very loudly in the night. Thunderbird Gerard, Brackles, Serocee, TCTS and Bruk Out DJs play the best house, hip hop and beats, with a special performance from dance troupe Skullduggery Refuse. The Big Chill House, 27 Oct, free entry

Have we missed any Halloween hotspots? Tell us in the comments below.

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/10/halloween-club-nights-2012/feed/0Halloween Club Nights in London 2011http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/10/halloween-club-nights-in-london-2011/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/10/halloween-club-nights-in-london-2011/#commentsFri, 14 Oct 2011 10:00:37 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=23361There are just two weeks left until things start to go bump in the night and Halloween is upon us.

With the holiday falling on a Monday, most London clubs are hosting their Halloween fun on Saturday 29 October. And as the clocks go back on Sunday, there’s a whole extra hour of freakish fun to be had! So dig out your witches hat and take a look at our pick of Halloween club nights in London:

Feeling Gloomy: Gloomy Halloween Spooktacular
DJ Grim Reaper and a Depeche Mode tribute act will ensure a hauntingly good night, along with the usual “misery pop” at The O2 Academy 2 Islington .Advance tickets from £4.50 (club only), gig tickets £9. Book now

The Monster Raving Kigu Party
Get in on the Kigu craze at a secret London location. The Monster Raving Kigu Party promises Halloween-themed party games, £2 cocktails, the best underground music and general silliness! You don’t have to turn up in an animal suit, but fancy dress of some sort is compulsory. Tickets £15. Book now

Belle Epoque Halloween Special
Journey back to 19th century Paris and sample the delights of the Green Fairy at Belle Epoque’s Halloween Special. Advance tickets £20. Book now

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/10/halloween-club-nights-in-london-2011/feed/1Win! Tickets to Club De Fromage’s Royal Wedding Partyhttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/win-day-7-tickets-to-club-de-fromages-royal-wedding-party/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/win-day-7-tickets-to-club-de-fromages-royal-wedding-party/#commentsMon, 07 Mar 2011 10:00:11 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=19716Didn’t get an invite to the Royal Wedding? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy a Right Royal Knees Up at the Islington Academy.

Cheesy club night Club de Fromage are throwing an 80s-themed Royal Wedding party, and we’ve got 10 sets of tickets to give away.

You and two friends can enjoy cake, bunting, cheesy tunes and lots more wedding-related fun on 30 April.

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2011/03/win-day-7-tickets-to-club-de-fromages-royal-wedding-party/feed/0White Mischief: The Haunted Ballroom at Scala. Visit London Asks: What did you do for Halloween?http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/11/white-mischief-the-haunted-ballroom-at-scala-visit-london-asks-what-did-you-do-for-halloween/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/11/white-mischief-the-haunted-ballroom-at-scala-visit-london-asks-what-did-you-do-for-halloween/#commentsMon, 01 Nov 2010 17:01:45 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=16455

The steampunk extravaganza had a great line-up of entertainment including comedian Nina Conti, singer David McAlmont and neo-burlesque artist Empress Stah.

I was happily surprised that my very favourite cabaret entertainer Dusty Limits was hosting the evening. As usual, he had the best make up, songs and jokes and almost made me want the main acts off the stage so I could see more of him!

We also had lots of fun watching Mac Abbe et le Zombi Orchestra, meeting a man-eating plant and dancing to a few golden oldies in the Devil’s Dance room.

So what did my fellow White Mischief-goers think of the night?

“What a great evening. I was amazed by the effort that everyone had put into their costumes. Imagination was certainly not in short supply. I’ll definitely be back. Well done White Mischief!”
Gillian, 29, Herne Hill

“A good time had by all. Full marks to the David Bowie impersonator for his costume.”
Ben, 28

“Any Halloween event that promises a “Zombi Orchestra” is clearly looking to make a big impact, and White Mischief didnt disappoint. The evening had a great atmosphere and some brilliant live acts, and was really made by the effort that guests went to with fancy dress. There can’t be many events where David Bowie can be found cavorting next to a zebra….” Sarah, 27, Essex

What did you do for Halloween?

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/11/white-mischief-the-haunted-ballroom-at-scala-visit-london-asks-what-did-you-do-for-halloween/feed/0Visit London Blog Giveaway: Win A Hed Kandi World Series London Albumhttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/09/visit-london-blog-giveaway-win-a-hed-kandi-world-series-london-album/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/09/visit-london-blog-giveaway-win-a-hed-kandi-world-series-london-album/#commentsMon, 20 Sep 2010 09:00:19 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=14668With London Fashion Week in full swing, now’s the perfect time to listen to the sounds of the catwalk with Hed Kandi‘s brand new album – and we’ve got five copies to give away!

Hed Kandi’s popular World Series takes London as the inspiration for its new album – released today.

This weekend, I attended the launch party for pop up “palace” Salon d’Eté. The venue is a 1930s-themed restaurant and bar offering live cabaret, burlesque, music and dancing in London for the summer months.

Salon d’Eté is nestled above members’ club L’Equipe Anglaise (near to Selfridges). It’s a small venue consisting of a beautifully decorated main room plus a smaller entrance room with a rather exciting swinging chair in it (guests were vying for this coveted spot!)

I’d recommend getting a table reservation as it’s the only way to get a seat (perhaps explaining the popularity of the swinging chair!) Otherwise, you can watch the performances from the space around the tables.

The bar was a little chaotic as one end was for waiters only and the queue for the bar seemed to be in their way. That said, the cocktails were very tasty and the bar staff were friendly and enthusiastic, even offering to mix cocktails that weren’t on the menu.

Salon d’Eté is open to the public from 8pm until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights over the summer – closing date TBC www.salondeteclub.com

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/06/salon-dete-pop-up-bar-launches-in-marylebone/feed/3Easter 2010 Clubs Rounduphttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/04/easter-2010-clubs-roundup/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/04/easter-2010-clubs-roundup/#commentsThu, 01 Apr 2010 11:00:52 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=7744Easter‘s not all about chocolate and bunnies, it’s also about partying! London knows it, so check out these brilliant Bank Holiday clubs:

You might have lazed around all Bank Holiday Friday, but that’s no reason not to let loose at Jailhouse Jam. Dress in prison chic and sing along to prison ditties at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. 2 Apr

On Saturday night, head south of the river and check out Plan B‘s new sound system. There’ll be a rare London appearance from The Shapeshifters. 3 Apr

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/04/easter-2010-clubs-roundup/feed/1White Mischief’s Third Birthday Party at Scalahttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/03/white-mischiefs-third-birthday-party-at-scala/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/03/white-mischiefs-third-birthday-party-at-scala/#commentsMon, 29 Mar 2010 14:23:49 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=7730On Saturday night I dipped my Victorian lace-up booted toe into the waters of steampunk at White Mischief’s Third Birthday Party. Steampunk is a fantasy genre that imagines a world in which we’d gone down the steam-powered route instead of electricity during the industrial revolution.

The dress code was described as “neo-Victorianâ€¦ scientists, explorers, and exhibitionists.” This still didn’t give us many clues as to what we should wear, although a friend assured us goggles were key. We couldn’t find any of those in the charity shops of Clapham, but it didn’t matter because as soon as we entered Scala, it was clear that steampunk attire covers a lot more.

We saw top hats, moustaches, military attire, pipes, corsets and admittedly, goggles and tweed. Dress-up isn’t compulsory at White Mischief, but you’d feel pretty silly if you turned up in jeans and a t-shirt. Steampunks take dressing up seriously and I was hugely impressed by the amazing costumes.

The best thing about White Mischief was the atmosphere and the variety of entertainment. Despite the effort that had gone into people’s costumes, everyone seemed relaxed and friendly.

Unlike many club nights, you don’t just turn up and spend the next few hours on the dance floor, there are lots of other distractions. From Victorian curiosities such as a flea circus, to a steampunk fair where you could buy jewellery, comics and more steampunk-inspired souvenirs.

White Mischief didn’t feel like a club, it was more like interactive theatre. We loved the entertainment, including the fantastic Oompah Brass band (singing along to oompah Bohemian Rhapsody was a real highlight); Voltini the electrocuting scientist (conducting electricity through some unmentionable body parts); burlesque from Beau Burlington (who managed to shed enough clothing weight to take off in an air balloon); and a chainsaw-juggling pirate!

So I’m a convert, I will definitely go to White Mischief’s next party, I’m already planning my outfitâ€¦